In response to the Ebola epidemic, a panel of Yale experts recently examined the scope of the disease worldwide and encouraged public dialogue on the most effective ways to deal with it.
The panel was convened by Elizabeth Bradley, faculty director of the Yale Global Health Leadership Institute (GHLI), as part of the work of the newly created Yale Ebola Task Force. The task force includes Yale faculty members and student representatives whose mission is to coordinate on-campus events aimed at raising public awareness and funds for Ebola relief.
“Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Ebola Epidemic and Crisis Relief Initiatives” took place on Oct. 16 at Linsly-Chittenden Hall. Bradley moderated the panel, which was sponsored by GHLI, Yale World Fellows, and the Yale Undergraduate Association for African Peace and Development. Panelists included Kristina Talbert-Slagle, Susana Edjang, and Christopher Lockyear.
Talbert-Slagle is the senior scientific officer of the Global Health Leadership Institute and a lecturer in the Yale School of Public Health. Edjang is a Yale World Fellow and currently serves as economic, social, and development affairs officer for the executive office of the secretary-general, United Nations. Lockyear, also a Yale World Fellow, is operations manager at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).
“This is the moment when the world needs to come together for the people of West Africa,” Lockyear said.
More than 150 people — including Yale students and members of the community — attended the panel. Talbert-Slagle discussed the epidemiology of the virus, focusing on modes of transmission, the process and possibility of mutation, and methods of protection for health workers. Lockyear discussed the response of Médecins Sans Frontières, including its work managing Ebola health centers across West Africa and methods of patient care. Edjang focused on the history of the virus in West Africa and how it relates to economic development and growth, as well as the United Nation’s response to the epidemic.
Several of the questions from the audience focused on transmission of the virus. Talbert-Slagle cautioned that while the virus should be taken extremely seriously, it is also important to keep it in perspective — that the flu virus, for example, kills thousands of people in the United States annually. The risk of contracting Ebola, she said, is directly related to the level of exposure to infected and symptomatic patients.
Panelists agreed there was a great deal of work yet to be done before the end of the epidemic — or, as Lockyear put it, the end of the “21 day cautionary period of the final patient with Ebola.”
Other questions focused on what else could be done from a governmental and infrastructure standpoint. Several audience members pointed out a lack of political will in the current landscape to deal with Ebola. The panel noted that the need for qualified health workers is even more critical than funding. Both Lockyear and Edjang said hundreds more health workers would be needed in order to truly make a difference in West Africa.
Audience members also shared their own personal experiences working in West Africa. A reporter who had covered the Ebola story in Guinea described the disruption the virus has caused in the political system, while a physician discussed her work providing care to patients in Sierra Leone.
Despite concerns expressed by the audience and panelists about the magnitude of the Ebola crisis, the panel ended on a hopeful note. Bradley commended the high turnout for the event and encouraged attendees to continue the discussion in the community.
“Hopefully, each person here will leave with an idea of what he or she can do to advance the political will,” Bradley said.